RACE REPLAY BELOW ARTICLE
After the scratching of his toughest rivals, Dornoch was barely tested Saturday at Gulfstream Park, leading at every call to win by about 1 1/2 lengths in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain Of Youth, a 1 1/16-mile points prep for Kentucky Derby 2024.
Sent off at 1-5 odds, the Good Magic colt who is a full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage took the lead early in the first turn and needed only a hand ride from jockey Luis Sáez to hold off an attempt at a late challenge by Le Dom Bro (25-1) in the homestretch.
e Dom Bro finished second, Frankie’s Empire (5-1) third, Real Macho (5-1) and Dancing Groom (12-1) last. With only five horses left from an original field of nine 3-year-olds, they all were awarded Kentucky Derby 2024 qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis. With the win, Dornoch all but certainly clinched his place in the run for the roses May 4.
Dornoch, who is trained by Danny Gargan for owners West Paces Racing, Randy Hill, Belmar Racing, Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables, was clocked at 1:43.64 on the fast main track after setting early fractions of 24.39, 48.14, 1:11.43 and 1:36.95. He paid $2.40, $2.10 and $2.10; Le Dom Bro $7.40 and $3.40; and Frankie’s Empire $2.60.
The Fountain of Youth began to fall apart early with the scratch of morning-line second choice Locked, who did not satisfy trainer Todd Pletcher with his movement Saturday morning, according to Daily Racing Form. His stablemate Speak Easy, an impressive debut winner on last month’s Pegasus World Cup undercard, was scratched after he got loose from rider Irad Ortiz Jr. during the post parade. He was diagnosed with some cuts after hitting the rail in the quarter-mile chute before he was collared. Speak Easy carried 6-5 odds as the second choice at the time he was scratched.
